Font del Geni Català
Font del Geni Català is a monumental neoclassical fountain in Plaça del Palau, Barcelona, dedicated to Francisco Bernaldo de Quirós y Mariño de Lobera, Marquis of Campo Sagrado, for bringing the waters of the Moncada hills to the city in 1826. The city council approved the monument in 1852, the project was designed by architect Francisco Daniel Molina, and it was inaugurated in 1856. Made of white marble, the fountain features a high pedestal topped by a winged efebus holding the star of Progress, with symbols of victory and Technique. Four seated matron figures represent the Catalan provinces, while lion-head cascades and maritime genii complete the composition.
May 2013 © Enfo · CC BY-SA 3.0 es
April 2011 © Enfo · CC BY-SA 3.0
August 2011 © Canaan · CC BY-SA 4.0
July 2016 © Vassil · CC0
July 2015 © Catalan Art & Architecture Gallery (Josep Bracons) · CC BY-SA 2.0
Identification | |
| Title | Font del Geni Català |
| Also known as | Monument to the Marquess of Campo Sagrado; Fountain of the Catalan Genius |
| Type | Monumental fountain |
| Style | Neoclassical |
Location and ownership | |
| Location | Plaça del Palau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
Historical context | |
| Dedicated to | Francisco Bernaldo de Quirós y Mariño de Lobera (1763–1837), Marquess of Campo Sagrado |
| Commemorates | His bringing of the waters from the Sierra de Montcada to Barcelona in 1826 |
| Honoree's role | Captain General of Catalonia |
| Commissioned by | Barcelona City Council |
Creator | |
| Architect | Francisco Daniel Molina |
| Sculptors | the Baratta brothers and Josep Anicet Santigosa |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Inauguration date | 1 June 1856 |
| Construction started | 1852 |
| Decision to erect | The City Council decided to erect the monument on 13 July 1852 |
Physical characteristics | |
| Material | White marble |
| Form | Tall pedestal crowned by a statue |
Appearance | |
| Top figure | A winged young ephebe holding the Star of Progress above his head, with a palm of victory in his left hand |
| Base decoration | Four seated matron figures on the base, representing the Catalan provinces |
| Water features | Lion-head spouts send water into four basins, which drain into the main pool through small gargoyles |
| Additional figures in the basin | Four geniuses riding or swimming on hippocampi |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Top figure symbolism | Progress and Technique |
| Lion-head symbolism | The rivers Ebro, Segre, Llobregat, and Ter |
| Matron figures symbolism | The Catalan provinces |
| Front shield and motto | A shield topped with a crown and surrounded by laurel branches, bearing the arms of Quirós and the motto 'After God, the house of Quirós' |
| Inscription | There is an inscription above the shield on the front of the pedestal |
History and restoration | |
| Original lighting | Gas lighting |
| Restorations | It underwent several restorations during the 20th century; the most important was after the Spanish Civil War by Frederic Marès |